Richie Hall's Roughriders pitched an endzone shutout a week ago, allowing the Calgary Stampeders to post just three field goals in a 19-9 loss.

It set the bar rather high for tonight's rematch when the Roughies defensive co-ordinator expects his charges to match their intensity from a week ago.

It was a ferocity that was lacking in the first meeting of the season, a 53-36 Stampeders win.

"To hold any offence in this league without a touchdown is quite an achievement," said Hall, a Stampeders defensive back for five seasons (1983-87).

"The Stampeders also had some opportunities slip through their hands.

"It's not a secret what we do, it's not a secret what they do. It's about intensity. The first time we played them, they came out and they took it to us pretty good. Did they do anything we didn't expect. No? They played at a high level and kicked our butts.

"If you don't bring that type of an attitude, it's tough to win in this league. When we don't do it, we know what happens.

"They put 53 points up on the board a couple of weeks ago, so we know what happens when we don't come to play."

Grabbing many of the headlines last week was a five-sack performance from the Roughies d-line, something Hall said is overrated.

"The sacks are good but the key story is they scored nine points," Hall said.

"I don't get caught up in the statistics because that isn't what wins football games."

ALLEN UPGRADE: David Allen is expected to add a missing ingredient to the Stampeders return game tonight.

The former NFLer, who made an impression the final four games of the 2005 CFL season, is making his first appearance since injuring his knee in Game 1 this year against Edmonton.

Stampeders special teams co-ordinator Craig Dickenson expects Allen to add a new dimension to the team's return game.

"I'm excited to see him back there and he adds an added element to the return game -- experience," Dickenson said.

"That and some big-play ability as well but we've got to see it. Every time he's looked real good, he's gotten injured so we haven't seen a consistent, steady look from him.

"So I just want to see more of him than we've seen so far.

"You only get better by playing and he's at that stage now where he needs game action and reps."

BAD TIMING: Stampeders quarterback Henry Burris completed just 15 of 31 passes and never found the endzone a week ago against the Roughriders.

Veteran Roughies DB Eddie Davis said his unit has found a way to limit the Stampeders effectiveness when it comes to their offence.

"The big thing for us is to mess up their timing because Hank likes to throw a lot of timing routes," said Davis, who spent five seasons in Red and White (1996-2000).

"If we can get our hands on those guys and slow them down a bit, it gets them out of their rhythm."

The Stamps' three leading receivers -- Nik Lewis, Jeremaine Copeland and Elijah Thurmon -- each posted more than 1,000 yards last season, yet last week combined for just 132 yards in the 19-9 loss to the 'Riders.

"They're a tall group, which is something we have a challenge with because we're all 5-10 and under," Davis said.